The Solitary Protector by Rebecca Hefner

A secluded cabin. An outgoing princess on a mission, seeking shelter from a storm. And one antisocial Vampyre who puts the “grunt” in surly grunting grumperson. So…much…grunting. What’s not to love? 

What’s it About? 

A woman determined to discover her past…

Adelyn, daughter of Lila and Latimus, has never felt quite whole. Although she loves her parents immensely, the origin of her lavender irises always remained a mystery. When she overhears rumors of a secret species of immortal who share the rare trait, she’s compelled to journey into treacherous territory to find them.

A man destined to protect her…

Leo, son of Kilani and Alrec, prefers solitude rather than the misery and exclusion he experienced in the immortal realm. When a gorgeous Slayer shows up at his remote cabin, he yearns to protect her, even if the stubborn woman drives him mad.

A perilous journey…

Incensed by the grumpy Vampyre, Adelyn vows to leave him behind. But the obstinate man insists on protecting her, and each day they forge ahead, she wonders if her heart might need the most protection of all…

First Impressions

Listen up! If you’re in the mood for a paranormal romance featuring a sunshine heroine juxtaposed against a grumpy hero, then you need to run, not walk, and add this read to your TBR list. What we have here is the absolute epitome of witty banter which acts as the most delicious kind of foreplay between our two lead characters. They can’t stand to be in the same room together at the start, which makes their isolated location of a remote cabin in the middle of a torrential rain storm all the more perfect. Adelyn may have stumbled across one of the most infuriatingly stubborn and brash Vampyres she’s ever met in her immortal life, but she’s also not afraid to give back as good as he’s dishing out. This aristocratic princess certainly isn’t what Leo was expecting to come home to in his solitary home far removed from the reaches of society, and her incessant need for conversation has him on the verge of throwing her out in the cold. Or maybe…he might just have to throw her into his bed instead, because he can’t deny that this little vixen has awakened a desire in him he thought long buried. 

With every snappy comeback we see these two polar opposites come closer together, and it’s clear we’re just a hidden smirk or two away from an explosion of heat. Something I truly loved about this read was that Leo wasn’t just a grump for grumpiness’ sake. Oftentimes in Romancelandia we can be presented with a surly hero who seems to have a few underlying anger or personality issues that we never really get to the bottom of. When it comes to this read though, we can see how centuries of isolation have shaped Leo into the man he is today. It’s not that he’s always in a bad mood, but rather his interactions with anyone aside from his parents has been so limited that it naturally takes him some time to remember how to open up to anyone new. Adelyn refuses to back down when confronted with his testy attitude, which in turn brings about his willingness to confide in her about those who have turned away from him in the past. On the surface it might seem as though these two have nothing in common, but we come to find that their differences are what complement each other so well to bring them closer. 

A Tame Addition

If I had to categorize this eighth installment in the Etherya’s Earth series when compared to the other novels so far, I would say it’s quite the palate cleanser. We’re seeing a brief moment of peace in the larger war against the evil Elf King Dakath, so the primary focus of any angst or drama is on our lead couple as they traverse the rocky landscape towards building a relationship. Aside from one night scene involving a run-in with some lone Deamons, which frankly I’m sure will haunt my nightmares at least once in the coming weeks, we don’t see any scenes of battle or bloodshed. Unless you want to call Leo bringing a snooty aristocrat to his knees after an attempt to fight for Adelyn’s affections a battle. The main area where we see a bit of movement forward in this great fight of good against evil is in Adelyn’s mission to locate the secret species of Nymphs living on the outskirts of society. 

Her ancestors descend from this ancient line of peaceful healers, and it’s from them she’s inherited her tell-tale lavender-colored irises. While Adelyn loves her adoptive parents, Latimus and Lila, she’s always yearned to find out more about where she comes from. This is impetus for why she sets off on her mission to not only make first contact with the Nymphs, but also hopefully meet her birth father for the first time. I will say this was the one aspect of the novel which left me wanting more. So much of this story involves Adelyn’s search for the Nymphs, and eventually how her and Leo’s newfound relationship will survive following her return to society. The time actually spent with this new species, learning from them, simply felt far too short. There is definitely the implication that this won’t be the last we see of the Nymphs, but considering that Adelyn is a half-nymph herself, I was really hoping we would see more of her interactions with them in her own novel rather than what might come to be a side-story in a future novel featuring someone else in the lead role.

Unforgettable

There are two remarkably poignant moments in this read which I know will be sticking with me for quite some time. They were crafted so surprisingly well by the author, that I can’t help but tip my hat at the sheer excellence of these scenes. The first I will simply refer to as: the shave. So, a bit of back story. There is little I hate more in this world than when a movie, TV show, or novel will depict a man shaving, or getting shaved, with a straight razor. Something about it just puts me on edge with the heebie jeebies. Maybe it’s because 9 times out of 10 these scenes will result in some kind of bloodshed, but nevertheless, my hair stands on edge every single time, without fail. So you can imagine my sheer horror when this novel presents us with just such a scene, but then also my outright stupefaction over the fact that this author succeeds in making it the sexiest scene of the entire book. There is a moment when Adelyn is helping Leo shave off his wild mass of a beard because she’s been poking fun at it ever since her arrival in his cabin. As if the physical closeness this activity presents wasn’t delicious enough, when Adelyn proceeds to climb in his lap to get a better angle under his chin…all bets are off. This is the exact moment where everything changes. They both become aware of their mutual desire for one another, Leo can literally smell it on her, and by Etherya if somebody doesn’t open a window in here I’m going to spontaneously combust! 

Mkay, sexy moment over. Now for something a bit more intense. From the moment Adelyn sets out on her mission to find the Nymphs, we know there is a deadline for her to return back to society. Her father Latimus is already seething at the fact she insists on going alone, and if she’s not back home by the date he’s set out for her, he’s fully prepared to send out the entire immortal army after her. Enter Leo. Their time together in the cabin definitely awakened a physical chemistry between them, but it’s their journey together through the wilderness which secures their emotional connection as well. They share their struggles and joys over their adopted childhoods, insights into Leo’s former failed relationship with an aristocrat that confirmed his decision to live a solitary life, and Adelyn’s feelings of being lost at not knowing her birth parents. Each step of their journey brings them closer together, while also bringing us closer to the moment when we know Addie must return home. 

Leo is so set in his need for seclusion, just as Addie needs to be close to her family and fulfill her duties to the realm. When they eventually return to the cabin after finding the Nymphs, they have just a few days to share with each other before they must part ways. They are days filled with pure ecstasy, but also a looming dread for the inevitable, a desperation that it won’t come to pass. What makes these moments in the cabin even more heartrending was to see how two immortals must face the harsh reality of something coming to an end. Their bittersweet goodbye brought tears to my eyes, especially when considering the transformation of Leo as this surly grump at the start of the novel, to a man who has to force himself not to fall on his knees and beg Addie not to leave him. Ugh, ok, getting emotional again. Just read the freakin’ book already! 

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Etherya’s Earth, book 8. I never want this series to end! Even though I hope these immortals will soon find everlasting peace in their seemingly constant fight against evil, whenever that day comes I would just love to move around the different compounds seeing new couples find their happily ever after. And the way these original couples are popping out babies, I might just get my wish! I still think this series is best read in order, but of all the books in the series so far I would say this is the first full-length novel which could best be served as a stand-alone. 

Would I befriend the heroine? Maybe…in small doses. Like Leo, I often crave moments of quiet solitude, and let’s just say Addie might be too much of a chatterbox for my patience to handle. 

Would I date the hero? As long as I could watch him chop wood shirtless at least once a day, I’m here for it. 

Final Impressions: Although this read may have been short on violent battle scenes, it was full to bursting with emotional vulnerability, humor, witty banter and enough surly grunting to put Ted Lasso‘s Roy Kent to shame. Adelyn and Leo were the perfect pairing, especially as we see how the little things which drove them crazy about each other in the beginning eventually drove them crazy in love by the end. It was also great to see how Addie’s arguments for Leo rejoining society didn’t solely rely on the fact that she wanted him to choose the convenient option for her, but rather that coming back would allow him to be a better version of himself by living a more fulfilling life. While I would have liked to see more interactions with the Nymphs, I did love that we were able to spend some time with a few of couples from the previous books, especially Leo’s parents, Kilani and Alrec. If you love a grumpy/sunshine lead couple, then this is definitely the book for you! 

Smut Level: We have a secluded cabin here people, there’s nobody around for miles to hear these two enjoying each other’s company. There are a few mentions of Adelyn being submissive to Leo’s dominant side, but this is solely actualized in some hair tugging and slight pressure on Addie’s neck. No full-on choking, spanking or safe words. At least…that we know of 😉

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $3.99 Kindle Price. Reading Goddess Press, LLC. 303 Pages. 

Sebastian’s Fate by Rebecca Hefner

It’s time to celebrate Christmas at Etherya’s Earth, and Celine is determined to use the masked gala as a way to finally make a move on the love of her life. When the masks go on, the gloves…and maybe a few other items of clothing…come off. 

What’s it About? 

She was in love with a man who didn’t know she existed…

Vampyre aristocrat Celine has eyes for one man: a handsome council member who barely knows she’s alive. Determined to change her destiny, she secures a date with the enigmatic man, even if he won’t know her identity at the masked fete.

Council leader Sebastian considers relationships a waste of time—until a gorgeous stranger accompanies him to a ball. Suddenly, he can’t stop thinking about the woman behind the mask who sets his body aflame.

Consumed with uncovering the tempting stranger’s identity, Sebastian observes similarities between his phantom lover and the quiet aristocrat he’s barely noticed for centuries. Could his mystery woman actually be…Celine?

Fueled by passion and anger, he confronts the stunning aristocrat, never realizing their fiery encounter might cement Sebastian’s fate for eternity…

First Impressions

Rebecca Hefner is a master storyteller. She successfully manages to jam pack an entire novel’s worth of romance and character development into 167 pages of a novella without it feeling forced, rushed, or incomplete. Celine has had her heart set on workaholic Sebastian for centuries. We were first introduced to her infatuation for this vampyre in a previous novella within the Etherya’s Earth series, and while her attempts to attract his attention went unnoticed in that installment, Celine is determined to succeed this go around. She’ll just need a masked disguise, as well as a fake identity, to make it happen. What I appreciated most about this short read was that no detail was left out, from the impetus of Celine’s decision to go to such lengths, to Sebastian eventually opening his eyes to the beauty standing right in front of him for all these years. 

After all, we can’t help but question why, after literally centuries of pining after this man, Celine would finally choose to make a move. This is especially true when we discover that she’s been quite the quiet wallflower for most of her life. However, it’s revealed throughout the novella how she was always raised to be the compliant daughter of an aristocrat, to be seen and not heard, and to ultimately be a trophy for her future husband. It is only after the events of the previous novels, when some of the strongest female voices of the Vampyres, Slayers and Deamons come forward into the spotlight that Celine realizes there’s another way to life. This doesn’t mean she’s suddenly transformed to become the loudest or most opinionated woman in the room, but rather she’s no longer afraid to start taking the steps towards what she wants most out of her immortal life. And that just happens to be the broodingly gorgeous Sebastian. 

Blushing Wallflower or Sultry Vixen? 

I love a masked romance under false pretenses just as much as the next Romancelandia fan. The surprisingly compelling aspect of Celine’s ruse was that while she went to such great lengths to finally secure a date and kiss with the love of her life…she really doesn’t know what to do when Sebastian actually returns her advances. It would have been so easy to have Sebastian become entranced by this bold masked figure, share a few passionate kisses with her in the shadows, and upon discovering Celine’s true identity he could have fallen to his knees in declaring his undying love for her. But that simply would have been too easy. Instead we see that when a masked Celine finally has Sebastian in her arms, kissing her with such reverence and whispering dirty nothings into her ear, she can’t help but be hurt at the reminder that he’s ignored her all this time. Why couldn’t he love her for the blushing wallflower she truly was, rather than the foxy stranger she’s pretending to be? There’s a moment of shock for all of us, readers and Sebastian included, when rather than pull him closer into this intimate embrace, she chooses to push him away. And that’s when the fun truly begins. 

Sebastian can’t believe that this one evening’s encounter could throw his entire world off kilter. He’d love nothing more than to have another shot with the masked beauty from the fete, but she seems to have vanished into the night, never to be seen or heard from again. If there’s something I love more than a masked romance, it has to be the road to discovering the identity of our masked mystery guest, and Sebastian’s journey to realizing that Celine was behind the mask was an absolute treat. He starts to pick up on certain clues here and there, the most delightful of which was recognizing that Celine’s scent was quite similar to that of his aroused stranger. When he finally puts all the pieces together, an angry confrontation seems imminent, but let’s just say things quickly evolve into another kind of heated exchange.

Celine is still a virgin after all these centuries, and even though Sebastian awakens a fire within her, it was interesting to see how her sexual temperament mirrored her personality so closely. There’s an inherent shyness that surrounds her, but just as the changing circumstances of their society have inspired Celine to go after what she wants in life, the weight of Sebastian’s sexual attraction to her inspires her to voice what she wants during those moments of passion. Again, she doesn’t suddenly become a sultry vixen in the bedroom, but she does come to realize how the reaction she evokes in Sebastian is it’s own kind of power. For his part, Sebastian finally starts to see this new spark to Celine’s personality, both within and outside of the bedroom. She’s still Celine at heart, but there’s a more confident side to her that he can start to see himself falling in love with. 

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Etherya’s Earth, book 7.5. This is the perfect kind of palate cleanser to enjoy in between the full-length novels of this series. There are no battles or forces of evil to contend with, which makes it a fun, low-drama read to enjoy before the next installment. You could probably get by with this read if you haven’t read the previous books, but you might as well start from the beginning to enjoy the mastery at work! 

Would I befriend the heroine? I think we’d be friendly acquaintances, but I’m not sure we have enough in common to be actual friends. For some reason I can’t see Celine lounging around on a weekend eating pizza and watching Seinfeld re-runs. 

Would I date the hero? Celine does slowly start to pull some of Sebastian’s attention away from work, but on the whole he still seems to be too much of a workaholic for my taste. 

Final Impressions: A fantastic read you won’t want to leave behind on your next beach vacation! There was a seamless flow to the events of the novel, and I appreciated how much content could be fit into these pages without feeling like too much was going on. Nothing was rushed when it came to Celine and Sebastian uncovering their true feelings for each other. When Sebastian expressed his desire for this masked stranger on that first night, Celine didn’t just fall into his bed for a quick romp. Similarly, when Sebastian discovers Celine was the one behind the mask, he doesn’t immediately declare his love for her. Their infatuation and genuine interest in each other naturally evolves into feelings of companionship, and ultimately love. That’s quite a journey for a novella! 

Smut Level: Goodness me is it getting hot underneath this mask! Sebastian is definitely vying for top billing as one of the dirtiest talkers of this whole series, and while Celine might not be a dirty talker herself, she’s more than happy to be on the receiving end of it. 

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $2.99 Kindle Price. Reading Goddess Press, LLC. 167 Pages. 

The Dawn of Peace by Rebecca Hefner

This Etherya’s Earth prequel takes us back to the beginning when Vampyres and Slayers were still at war with each other. When enemies Alrec and Kilani find themselves alone in a secluded cabin together, and with one tied to the bedframe no less, we know these two won’t be at war for much longer. 

What’s it About? 

Before the end of hatred, there was the dawn of peace…

Two immortals from warring species save each other’s lives as the conflict rages on. Alrec, the hulking Vampyre warrior, spares her first. Years later, Kilani, the fierce, uncompromising Slayer, returns the favor. Stuck in her remote cabin, their bond grows as Kilani warily nurses her injured Vampyre, determined to deny her growing desire for the man with deep, knowing eyes and mesmerizing fangs. And, of course, there’s only one bed…

The sizzling prequel to the Etherya’s Earth paranormal romance saga

First Impressions

Any journey we can take to Etherya’s Earth is bound to be an entertaining ride, and this proved true once again when the author takes us back to before the events of the first novel in the series, just a few years after the Awakening has pitted Vampyre against Slayer as immortal enemies. Kilani has never felt like she truly belonged to the high society world she was born into, and until the Slayer army will accept women into their ranks she knows her strength and prowess with a sword will be pushed to the sidelines. That all changes one night when a raid on her family’s compound results in a direct confrontation with a Vampyre soldier who makes her blood boil and her loins…do some boiling of their own. Alrec and Kilani are worthy combatants who like to taunt and tease, which makes their intense sparring quickly turn into the most delightful kind of foreplay. Alrec spares Kilani’s life during their first confrontation, and it isn’t until years later when they cross paths once again that Kilani has the opportunity to return the favor by nursing this wounded soldier back to health in her secluded cabin far away from the prying eyes of Slayer, Vampyre or Deamon. Not one to let her guard down however, Kilani sees the need to tie up this currently bedridden Vampyre so as not to risk his quick healing abilities coming back to literally bite her down the road. 

When Alrec awakens following his injury he’s delighted to see the woman who rescued him is the same one he hasn’t been able to stop daydreaming about for the last few years. The two immediately pick up where they left off, ergo an inordinate amount of flirtatious teasing, eyebrow wagging, and tented bed sheets. What follows is the most delicious evolution of enemies to lovers, as the confined space of the cabin creates a seductive bubble wherein these two can escape, if only for a brief moment, the complexities and battles of the world outside. They have been taught to despise each other, yet when left to their own devices their true nature can’t help but shine forth. They are dutiful soldiers who want to serve their people, but they also have a caring and tender side which comes to the forefront when trapped in each other’s company. He is one of the only men to ever admire and encourage her desire to fight, and Alrec also can’t help but love the courage of this little vixen to stand up and spar with him at any possible moment. As they continue to build up his strength we just know it’s only a matter of time before they test out his newfound strength in the bedroom, but also not long before Alrec must return to his duties as a soldier. How can our lovebirds possibly find their happily ever after when we know that peace between the species is still several centuries away? 

A Secluded Observation

Another hallmark of this series is the savage war being waged against the Deamon leader Crimeous and his scourge of minions. While we’re usually privy to some intense battle scenes in Etherya’s Earth, the fact that Alrec and Kilani spend the vast majority of the novel on the outskirts of civilization within their love cabin means that most of the drama of the story comes from the “will they or won’t they” romance between our lead characters. In a way, the only fight scene we really see come to fruition in exacting detail is the one which takes place at the start of the novel between Alrec and Kilani. There’s a few ensuing mentions here and there of fighting some Deamon clusters, but nothing quite at the level to put us on the edge of our seats. While I definitely appreciated the centralized focus on what was happening inside this secluded cabin, I really would have loved just one scene where we could have witnessed Alrec and Kilani fight together. So much of their time together is spent training and sparring, and to see them work in tandem as partners to defeat a common enemy would have been the cherry on top of the proverbial sundae.  

This is a delightfully quick read which can easily be devoured in one sitting. Considering this is a prequel to events which we know will eventually transpire, and that we know a happily ever after is guaranteed with any addition to this series, you can’t help but commend the author at her ability to heighten our anticipation as we wonder how Alrec and Kilani will ever be able to overcome the multiple obstacles surrounding them to ultimately find peace and happiness with each other. There were definitely a few times that I worried we might be witnessing a tragedy in the making, or maybe even two characters who were doomed to spend centuries apart before finally finding each other again once the events of the subsequent novels have a chance to play out. Alas, rest assured we have a much more satisfying conclusion to their romance than any scenario my mind was conjuring up throughout the read. 

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Etherya’s Earth, book 0.5. This is definitely one of my favorite paranormal romance series of all time. I’ll take any full-length, novella or prequel addition I can get my hands on. 

Final Impressions: Enemies-to-lovers, secluded cabin, sparring, and light restraints to prevent escape. What’s not to like here?! This is a fantastically quick read that can kick off your exploration into this amazing series. I’d recommend it to anyone going on their next beach vacation, and this is coming from someone who usually isn’t a fan of paranormal romances! The only nitpick I’d have is that I wish we would have had one scene where Alrec and Kilani joined forces to fight off a Deamon or two as a couple. It could have been the perfect culmination to all their training, demonstrate the strength of Kilani as a female fighter, and perhaps even highlight that they’re stronger together as a couple. Again though, this is a minor nitpick to an overall entertaining and steamy read. 

Smut Level: Mmm, sparring. 🙂 The perfect form of foreplay when it comes to this series. All that close contact, heavy breathing, sweating…mmm. And did I mention the bed frame restraints and tenting of sheets?! 

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $0.99 Kindle Price. Reading Goddess Press, LLC. 

Garridan’s Mate by Rebecca Hefner

These two bad-ass Vampyre soldiers are committed to doing whatever is necessary to save their fellow countrymen, and each other, from the forces of evil.

What’s it About? 

Lose yourself in the magic…

General Garridan has lived for centuries without a bonded mate. Born an aristocrat, he chose to forgo his family’s wealth and privilege to fight in the Vampyre immortal army. After the centuries-long War of the Species ended, a new foe emerged, reaffirming his vow to protect his people. Although his father wants him to bond with an aristocrat and settle down, Garridan only has eyes for one woman.

Siora is a natural warrior. When the immortal army finally allows women to join, she pledges to become the first battalion leader as conflict consumes the realm. Once they defeat Bakari, she can settle into a security role at Lynia and help her father at his farm. Dreams of the amber-eyed Vampyre who relentlessly pushes her during training have no place in her world, even if the general is the only man who’s ever made her long for a bonded mate.

Consumed by her skill and effort, along with her inherent natural beauty, Garridan offers to help Siora secure a leadership position as they near the final battle. Although she swears they have no future, Garridan finds himself longing to claim the stubborn woman as his mate, no matter the cost. Can two warriors from different paths find love amid their blazing desire, or will fear douse their spark before it’s barely begun to burn?

First Impressions

We were initially introduced to Siora in the sixth novel of the Etherya’s Earth series “The Cryptic Prophecy”. I distinctly remember the first scene where she was introduced to interact with one of our main characters in that book and immediately thinking, “Mkay, so she’s definitely gonna need her own book one day.” Lo and behold, wish for something with every fiber of your being, and you shall receive.

While Siora and Garridan don’t get their own full-length novel, we get this perfect intermediary novella which essentially takes place in the last few weeks leading up to the epic battle which took place at the end of book six, and concludes with us in the same timeframe as when that book also ended. This novella was truly the perfect vehicle to tell the story of these two soldiers. It makes sense with their combat training that their love would blossom in the close quarters leading up to the final battle. Had there been an attempt to squeeze their story into book six in between the scenes of Callie and Brecken’s romance, I don’t think it would have received the attention it deserved. Therefore, this novella provides us with the perfect opportunity to see their story as a stand-alone rather than an afterthought, while still fitting into the overall general timeline of the series. Smart move by the author for sure!

An Activity Better than Sex?

Do you know how I realized this book was going to be amazing within just the first few pages? Easy. Battalion commander + soldier = sparring. Lots…and lots…of sparring. And lemme tell ya, that is Siora and Garridan’s physical activity of choice throughout the vast majority of this read, which of course inevitably leads to a more sultry pastime. When Garridan first offered to train with Siora for a few hours in the evenings I immediately said to myself, “If these two don’t end up with Siora flat on her back and Garridan splayed out over her thighs with her hands held down by both of his at some point, you can revoke my romance novel fan-card right now.” Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long at all for this blessed scenario to occur. The true benefits of a novella: you don’t have to wait around before you get to the good stuff. And believe me when I tell you there was plenty of delicious stuff to enjoy in this one.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Etherya’s Earth, book 6.5. Part of the Hearts Unleashed Anthology. While I didn’t read the rest of the anthology in which this novella appeared, I can tell you that Etherya’s Earth is definitely one of my favorite series ever.

Final Impressions: Sometimes I don’t always understand half-books in between full-length novels of a series, but in this instance it really worked. We get just a small glimpse of the suspense of battle at the very end of this short read, but for the most part this novella provides us with a welcome breather in between some of the more intense action happening in the series as a whole. We primarily get to indulge in the passionate scenes of Siora and Garridan learning how perfect they are for each other. I also appreciated that Garridan never pushed Siora into admitting they were destined mates before she was ready. When she expressed hesitancy over a future with Garridan, he had the wherewithal to give her the space she needed to realize on her own that they were meant for each other. Absolute perfection!

Smut Level: So…much…sparring!! The fact Garridan had the strength to literally tear the sports bra from Siora’s chest on more than one occasion was a pure delight. We’ve all come across scenes of panty ripping, but sports bra ripping is a special category all on its own.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $0.99 Kindle Price. Naughty Nights Press, LLC. 

Handsome Death by Sara Dobie Bauer

“Priority one has always been to keep him safe, but the joke was on me: I’m the most dangerous thing he’s come across.”

What’s it About? 

I’m not hunting him; I’m protecting him. At least, that’s what I tell myself. In New York City, a beautiful creature like Tristan Clement should not be walking the streets alone, and I’m the perfect vampire to watch his back. But what if keeping him safe isn’t enough anymore? What if I want to touch? And taste? I need him. But I’ve never needed anyone.

In a world where paranormal creatures live amongst us and must follow certain laws, living life as a dangerous loner works for vampire Ethan. Inhabiting his gleaming apartment, wearing his designer suits, jetting around the world as a fanged killer-for-hire, Ethan does it all alone.

That is, until he literally runs into Tristan. Tristan, who is clearly trouble wrapped in skinny jeans and an oversized sweater. Tristan, with his shock of angelic blond curls. Tristan, who plays piano more beautifully than the old masters– and Ethan would know; he saw Beethoven.

Tristan is gorgeous, a little sassy, and irresistible. Also, Ethan is horrified to note, Tristan has no idea how incredibly tempting he is to things that go bump in the night.

Overcome by the urge to keep Tristan safe, Ethan begins to… well, stalk is such a strong word. What starts as an obsession quickly becomes something more, something that Ethan needs. And to his surprise, Tristan seems to need him, too…

This darkly romantic tale delivers steamy passion and a happily ever after. Be advised that Handsome Death includes explicit m/m content, stalking, mentions of past abuse, and graphic violence.

First Impressions

Guy meets guy in a NYC coffee shop. Seems like a rather standard meet cute, no? Well, when one of those guys is a centuries old mercenary vampire, and the other is a young unsuspecting music student, let’s just say it ramps up the intrigue to a mouth-watering level. At first, Ethan finds his draw to this young human completely inexplicable, but the one thing he does feel is an intense desire to protect and safeguard him. Perhaps it’s simply a lustful attraction which will soon fade.

However, as time passes and their relationship evolves, we see how both of these men help the other learn to live again. Tristan has the ability to make this rugged mercenary laugh, and feel something for the first time in a long time. It’s shockingly charming to witness the sensitive romantic side of this tough vampire slowly emerge before us. As for Ethan’s influence on Tristan, he helps this young man move on from a previously troubled relationship which made him feel weak, useless and ugly. It doesn’t take long after being enveloped in Ethan’s arms to feel both beautiful and desired at the same time.

Brought Right to the Edge

Edging plays a rather large role in this novel. Not that kind of edging! Although…come to think of it Ethan does have a lot of fun repeatedly teasing Tristan right to the edge of full pleasure before pulling away. But no, when I refer to edging in this instance I mean that we’re always sort of brought to the edge of something going terribly wrong for our characters, but ultimately things resolve themselves before we’re pushed over that edge. There’s the cusp of our characters breaking up, the finality of death, or in some cases being caught by the authorities. However, things always end up working out before they go too wrong…in most instances.

In a way, this lent a rather refreshing sense of lightness to the plot, but also meant we were constantly waiting for a shoe to drop that never does. For example, I was confident at the start of the book that Ethan’s mercenary past would in some way insert itself into the bubble which he and Tristan had created for themselves. Perhaps an old enemy would come back to bite him (vampire joke totally intentional). And yet, that never happens. The main focus of the story is really centered on Ethan and Tristan figuring out how they fit into each other’s lives, and discovering that you can find love even when you weren’t looking for it.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Stand-alone. I will say we’re presented with a few delightful secondary characters who I would adore to see more from. Tristan’s spunky best friend in particular was so much fun.

Final Impressions: I read this book in one day. Was that because the characters wouldn’t release me from their captivating world, or because I’ve been stuck inside my apartment for the last week due to covid-19 lock down? Definitely a mixture of both. There is one especially suspenseful moment towards the middle of the book which turns everything topsy turvy. Although it was a moment which we could foreshadow, it was still intense in its delivery. I think I would have liked to see some aspect of Ethan’s mercenary past come more to the forefront in his relationship with Tristan, just as a way to heighten the suspense even more. Overall though, an engaging read that highlights the strength and healing nature of true love.

Smut Level: My goodness gracious, what do these two hunks NOT do?! Some of it is intensely erotic, from the aforementioned edging to the use of ropes, and of course a bit of required biting from our vampiric alpha male. They’re openly communicative though when it comes to the rougher side of their sexual relationship, and have a clear go-no-go system in place. Respect!

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. Carnation Books. 257 Pages.

The Elusive Sun by Rebecca Hefner

Vampyres have lived in the dark for centuries. For Lila and Latimus, openly declaring their love for each other seems just as elusive as seeing the sun again.

What’s it About?

Lila, a high born aristocrat of the Vampyre kingdom, was betrothed to Sathan, King of the Vampyres, for a thousand years. The betrothal, declared by the goddess Etherya, was deemed unbreakable. Although she cared for Sathan, and loved him as her king, secretly her heart yearned for his brother. When Sathan falls for another, Lila ends the betrothal, terrified at what her life will become now that she won’t be queen.

Latimus has loved Lila since they played together on the grassy riverbank as children. Knowing that his brother was the better man, he never begrudged his betrothal to the woman he secretly loved. Now that Sathan has married another, Latimus becomes aware of Lila’s feelings. Determined to push her into the arms of a worthier man, he believes that a war-torn army commander such as he could never offer her the life she deserves.

As the war against the Deamons rages, Latimus fights for his people, protecting them from the evil Dark Lord Crimeous. When Lila suffers a brutal attack, Latimus is shaken to his core. Resolved to avenge her, he acknowledges the emotion that has always burned for her in his blackened heart. But Lila has moved on and, as the war ensues, he worries that it might be too late to claim her…

First Impressions

A common theme of this novel focused on how Lila and Latimus struggled to cope with the expectations for the lives they’ve been born into. Both were raised around a sense of duty. For her, it was an aristocratic one. She had a duty to her king, to her people, and an overarching duty to produce heirs for said king to continue ruling their subjects together. For him, it was a duty to lead and command his Vampyre army. Latimus has constantly led a hard life of danger and service, constantly seen as second best to his brother, the king. After the events of the last novel, and with the opening of this one, Lila and Latimus are both starting to realize they’ve had a mutual attraction to each other for centuries.

You can’t help but question why they don’t take full advantage of their new situation in life, and tear each other’s clothes off!! After all, Lila is no longer betrothed to his brother, and she’s free to choose whoever she wants in life. However, when you’ve spent the last 1000 years living a certain life, and fulfilling a particular duty in that life, you can see why they’d both struggle to suddenly toss out everything they’ve been raised to believe about their purpose in life. Duty was always first and foremost to beat out love or emotion. Latimus in particular feels these countless years of killing has tainted him to the point where he’s not worthy of touching Lila considering how much blood he’s had on his hands. He constantly focuses on the bad, whereas she and everyone else can recognize the good in him.

The Slowly Ticking Clock 

Obviously seeing the romantic relationship develop between Latimus and Lila was a high point of the novel that makes your toes curl in delight with every scene. However, another one of the more fascinating observations with this read was the concept of time for our immortals. On the one hand, they feel like they have forever, so they convince themselves that some admissions of love or emotion can wait. In reality, they are still vulnerable to the ceaseless and unmerciful Deamon attacks which have been ramping up since the events of the first book.

At one point in the story we see a 1000 year-old vampyre killed in battle. As a human you can’t help but think, geez he had a good run! That was a long time for others to know and love him, and a long time to live as a soldier. Yet in the same vein you see how soul crushing the deaths of comrades can be. When you’re an immortal expecting to live forever, any moment of death is seen as too soon. This also plays out in the relationship between Lila and Latimus. After pushing aside their long-held grievances they finally have an immortal lifetime to spend together, and yet they still lament over how much time they’ve wasted these last 1000 years bickering with each other. It helps them realize that they don’t want to waste any more time, and make up for as much time as they can which was spent apart from each other.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Etherya’s Earth, book 2. I am squirming in anticipation for book 3!!

Final Impressions: I am officially addicted to this series. The characters draw you in, and you find yourself holding your breath in anticipation wondering what troubles might befall them. At times Latimus and Lila are almost too overly supportive of each other, fawning over how amazing the other is whenever one says they deserve someone who isn’t flawed. This sequel does sort of lack the sense of urgency and momentum which was so prominent in book one. While the Deamon King, Crimeous, is still an active threat in this second book, the battle against him isn’t really the driving force of the plot. Instead, it’s really about Lila and Latimus learning to communicate their feelings for one another after keeping them secret for centuries. It was still an interesting tale to see their trust in each other and romance unfold, but also kind of lacking in the suspense department.

Smut Level: Daaaaamn! This sequel was 10 times steamier than book one. Plenty of dirty talk and passionate thrusting to really get your blood flowing.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $3.99 Kindle Price. Amazon Digital Services LLC. 224 Pages.

The End of Hatred by Rebecca Hefner

Get yourself a copy of this exciting paranormal romance NOW. It’s got Vampyres, Slayers and Deamons. What else could you possibly need to get you in the mood for Halloween?

What’s it About? 

These are dangerous times on Etherya’s Earth…Slayer Princess Miranda, heir to the throne, has hated the Vampyres for a thousand years. Since the Awakening, she’s fought to protect her people, choosing to be a warrior more than a royal. When a female Vampyre washes up on the shore of her compound’s riverbank, she seizes the moment to take the offensive.

Sathan, King of the Vampyres, distraught at his sister’s disappearance and captivity, agrees to travel with Miranda to resect the Blade of Pestilence, also hoping to change his people’s state of endless war. Although the woman hates him due to the constant raids on her compound for the Slayers’ life-giving blood, he can’t help but admire the stubborn and strong princess.

As their journey progresses, both begin to understand that they are aligned in their hatred of Crimeous, leader of the Deamons, as well as their hope for peace between the Slayers and Vampyres. Determined to fight their growing attraction, they forge a tentative truce. But old wounds run deep and trust is scarce. Their faith in each other must remain strong or all will be lost…

First Impressions

Wow, wow, this book pulled me in from opening bell and simply would not let go. When I first read the synopsis I thought, mkay a beautiful bad-ass female slayer falls for a sexy alpha male vampire. Let the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel comparisons begin. Not that there’s anything wrong with that mind you, I was definitely looking forward to it! What I didn’t expect though was for the author to succeed in creating a unique world that manages to not only incorporate some of the paranormal elements we’re familiar with when it comes to blood-sucking entities, but even more than that to develop an enchanting mythology to provide a history for why Slayers and Vampyres have been pitted against each other for centuries. It’s an addictive read that is so much more than a battle between species. It involves putting aside long-held animosities, learning to trust enemies, standing up for what’s right, and sometimes questioning that which we always believed to be true.

Finding Peace…to go to War

Miranda, Princess of the Slayers, is fed up with the constant fighting plaguing her people, and she’s determined to finally bring peace to her land. Unfortunately for her, succeeding in this endeavor will require her to partner up with those who she’s been taught to hate her entire life. The dynamic between Miranda and Sathan, the Vampyre King, is definitely one of the highlights of this novel. I loved that they didn’t just throw away centuries of hatred after one lustful glance, but rather their road to trust, and eventually love, is a long and difficult one. It doesn’t happen overnight, and there are still moments of doubt which arise throughout which make us question if they’ll ever succeed in their quest for peace. Eventually they realize that they must rely on each other in order to achieve their common goal, and it’s only after they start to trust each other that they allow themselves to acknowledge the stirring of lust which has been humming just below the surface.

Another aspect of the novel that I appreciated was the fact that their journey for peace is also a tumultuous one filled with twists and turns, as well as a slew of compelling characters who will capture your attention with the turn of every page. There are times where you never really know who you can trust, or if Miranda and Sathan will eventually come out on top in their desire to destroy a common enemy, the Deamon King. It’s in their arduous search for the ultimate weapon that Miranda and Sathan learn to put aside their differences, but this leads to yet another difficult task in convincing their people to do the same. We do reach a point in the middle of the book where things start to drag a little bit as Miranda and her army trains for the final battle against the Deamon King, and she also struggles to teach her people how to forgive their Vampyre enemy. However, at the same time this was an absolute necessity to demonstrate that the end of hatred isn’t easy or quick.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Etherya’s Earth, book 1. I needed book 2 like, yesterday. This first novel lays the groundwork for each of the couples who will be featured in a future novel, and I honestly can’t say which one I’m looking forward to the most!

Final Impressions: This is a unique world that manages to turn some classic elements of Vampyres and Slayers on their head. It’s definitely not a predictable read, and presents us with some lovable characters, yet also some flawed ones who don’t always get a happily ever after. We’re presented with a delicious build of anticipation throughout the book, and while things culminate in a heart-stopping battle, the larger war is far from over. I’m excited to see how this theme might continue throughout the rest of the series!

Smut Level: The road for Miranda and Sathan to go from enemies to lovers is a complicated one, and while it takes some time before they eventually fall into bed together, we do get some mouthwatering teasing and flirting that will make you grin with delight. Once they do finally give into their desires, my goodness will it cause your toes to curl. They’re passionate, possessive, and not afraid to rough things up a bit.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. Self-Published. 330 Pages

Escaping Mortality by Sara Dobie Bauer

Witness the exciting conclusion to the Escape Trilogy! Will vampire Andrew and his beloved sailor love each other for all eternity? Or will a vampire Elder come between them?

What’s it About? 

Their ocean journey was successful, and Andrew and Edmund found an Elder just in time. As they wished, Edmund is now a vampire like Andrew. They have eternity together, but first, they must visit Edmund’s ailing mother in the English countryside with their flock of immortals, including the Elder, who has taken an ominous liking to his new creation.

When they arrive at Edmund’s family estate, his sick mother and her loathsome best friend await them. While ducking religious curses, Edmund struggles to harness an unexpected power gifted him by the Elder. Andrew fears for his beloved as Edmund becomes more and more monstrous—but vampires have always been monsters, haven’t they?

A battle is coming, for Edmund’s heart and his soul, and Andrew will lose neither. He escaped island exile and a near tragedy at sea to be with Edmund, the beautiful young sailor he loves. Andrew will do anything to keep Edmund by his side, but his most dangerous adversary may be Edmund himself.

First Impressions

Book three in the Escape Trilogy picks up right where book two left off, with Andrew and Edmund locating a vampire Elder in the hopes that he’ll be able to turn Edmund into an immortal before he succumbs to illness. Mini spoiler alert (although not really a spoiler considering it’s in the synopsis), the two are successful! We’ve been wondering for the entire series whether or not Edmund would ever turn into a vampire like Andrew, and at long last our question is answered. Enter Brien, an ancient vampire who manages to save Edmund’s life…by taking it from him. Following his transformation, Edmund acquires some vampiric abilities that I’m sure we’re all used to at this point. Immense strength, blood lust, a pair of fangs that like to descend with little warning. You know, the usual. And yet we slowly discover that Brien has passed on some additional abilities to Edmund which make him unlike his fellow vampire friends and lover. Will his new abilities, not to mention this new connection with Brien, draw a wedge between him and Andrew?

A Journey to the Past

Edmund doesn’t have too much time to get used to his new abilities as a vampire, as he and Andrew must make a quick dash to England to meet with Edmund’s sickly mother before she passes away. You can’t help but appreciate the irony of seeing Edmund return to his birthplace immediately following his rebirth as a vampire. We’ve seen Andrew and Edmund confront such stark differences in terms of society and locations throughout this entire series. In book one we saw them connect on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean. In the sequel they immersed themselves in the fast paced and sin-filled city of New Orleans. And then in this final piece of the trilogy we explore an entirely different locale by visiting the uppity upper class of English society, and the slow-paced ennui of the countryside. With each change in setting we wonder if Edmund and Andrew will make it through the transition and changes of a different world, especially in this instance when we see Edmund confront his past.

He’s trying to find some semblance of peace with his mother before she passes, and reconcile their differences upon his departure all those years ago, not to mention the particulars of his love-life. She’s gone mad in his absence, which he can’t help but feel slightly guilty for. It’s rather shocking to see how our quick-witted and flirtatious Edmund collapse into himself upon going back to his childhood home. It forces him to confront the pains of his past, as well as the changes which have occurred in his absence. He practically becomes a quiet shell of his former self, and it was such a fascinating, yet heartbreaking transition. In these broken moments we have to wonder who will succeed in pulling Edmund out of his melancholy. Will it be Andrew, the man who has vowed to love him throughout all eternity? Or will it be Brien, the new mysterious Elder who gave him the gift of immortality?

An Elder of Mystery

Ohhh Brien the Elder. His entire being is steeped in mystery. We are all immediately intrigued by his quiet presence, especially considering he remains primarily in the background of the novel as an observer of Edmund and Andrew’s relationship. The whole time we are sort of wondering what his game is, as does Andrew. Brien is clearly infatuated with Edmund, and the two have a strong bond as creator and…child? But there’s also an attraction there. Will Brien come to share a bed with both Edmund and Andrew? After all, they’ve been known to share lovers in the past, but with their newfound commitment to monogamy it also seems out of the question.

Or are his motives perhaps more underhanded? At one point, Edmund astutely points out that Brien is the most powerful creature in existence. If he wanted, he could probably rule completely over both man and supernatural beings. And yet he’s choosing to stick around with Edmund and Andrew’s friends as they traverse the English countryside. What’s he really plotting as he silently observes the group’s activities? While I was definitely drawn to the enigma that was Brien, I was also slightly disappointed that we didn’t get more from him. It’s easy to forget about him at times considering his quiet nature, and it really isn’t until the very final climax of the novel that some of our questions are answered about him. And even then, I felt like I still had more questions than answers about our mysterious Elder.

One and Only

In books one and two we saw Andrew and Edmund declare their undying love for each other, and they vowed that it would last forever. That’s all well and good when they knew that Edmund’s time on this Earth was limited, but what happens now that he is an immortal just like Andrew? You have to question if monogamy is really a possibility when it’s for eternity, and yet what I absolutely adored from our couple is that it’s really never a question for them. Their connection and bond is so strong they never doubt the reality that they’ll remain devoted to each other forever. Through all the difficulties and trials that Edmund faces in his transition, as well as with confronting his past life in London, Andrew remains the one calming presence in his life. And yet, he also has an undeniable connection with Brien, his creator. Brien did take his soul after all. And this is a connection which creates an almost inconsolable type of jealousy with Andrew. True, Andrew holds Edmund’s heart, but can he compete with someone who holds the soul of his beloved?

Unleashing the Beast

While the connection between Edmund and Andrew has been a delight throughout this entire series, I will say there was one disturbing scene presented in this novel that I could have done without. Upon returning to his homestead to discover the unhealthy mental state of his mother, Edmund goes out on a solo drinking binge. He returns to Andrew looking for a fight, spurring him on in an attempt to draw out the dark beast hiding within Andrew. Unfortunately, he pushes a bit too hard where the beast takes control, smacking Edmund around and attempting to rape him. Only through Edmund’s new powers as a vampire is he able to fight off Andrew and bring him back to his senses. Andrew is understandably horrified at his behavior, but it was just pretty disturbing to see him lose control to the point where he was about to take Edmund against his will. Eventually they are able to move past it and forgive each other for their erratic behavior, but it wasn’t my favorite scene. Edmund and Andrew have been so loving and caring of each other since their island exile that it seemed out of character for them to behave in such a manner.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: The Escape Trilogy, book 3. So sad to see this series come to an end! I’m keeping my fingers crossed we get some kind of spin-off involving the other vampires in Edmund and Andrew’s world.

Final Impressions: I love this couple. There, I said it! It’s been such a tumultuous journey we’ve traversed with them since book one, and we clearly saw the strength of their physical connection in book two. This final chapter highlights the emotional bond between the two, and it’s one that we know has the ability to last for all eternity. If I had to find one fault with the close to the trilogy, it would be that Brien the Elder should have been featured just a bit more prominently throughout the book. I understand that this is meant to be Edmund and Andrew’s story, and that we don’t want to stray too far from that considering it’s what makes the series so special. However, an additional scene or two involving Brien’s interactions with our lead couple could have provided more of a glimpse into who this character is.

Smut Level: Edmund and Andrew have always been a passionate couple, and this theme definitely carries over into our conclusion. That being said, considering how Edmund is going through a bit of an identity crisis as a new vampire, as well as with confronting his past, the two don’t spend as much time in the bedroom as they did in book two.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $3.99 Kindle Price. NineStar Press. 127 Pages

Escaping Solitude by Sara Dobie Bauer

His exile has ended. Vampire Andrew is finally back in society with his shipwrecked sailor, Edmund. The temptations of New Orleans await them both!

What’s it About?

Ancient vampire Andrew escaped his tropical island exile with his beloved human sailor, Edmund. They’ve now returned to Andrew’s home in nineteenth-century New Orleans and must navigate not only their developing relationship—and equally haunted pasts—but also a hungry coven of vampires Andrew used to call friends.

Desperate to stay by Andrew’s side forever, Edmund examines the impressive coven library in search of an Elder, the only creature capable of turning Edmund. Although missing for centuries, Andrew believes an Elder must still survive somewhere; they just have to find him.

The search is put on hold when Edmund receives word that his mother is ill in London, and the lovers set off on an oceanic journey surrounded by new friends and old enemies. When things go terribly wrong, Edmund’s fragile human life hangs in the balance, and an Elder must be found or Andrew will be alone forever.

First Impressions

At the end of book one I wondered if dry land would prove to be the salvation Andrew and Edmund thought it would be. They’re both thrilled to be on dry land and in society once again, but now they find themselves having to check their behavior when out on the town. They simply can’t be openly affectionate in public like they were on the seclusion of the island. Sure, they may have only had blood thirsty cannibals as companions on the island of exile, but apparently they didn’t discriminate.

While Andrew and Edmund both lament not being able to show affection in public, they’re certainly able to locate a few places all over the city for them to indulge in their passions behind closed doors! I also questioned at the end of book one if Andrew’s blood lust would prove too great to handle once he’s back in the midst of society. While his hunger for blood does grow, we see that his tastes are for Edmund alone, and he can’t bring himself to feed on anyone but his sailor. The question is, will Edmund bare his neck to Andrew’s fangs, or will he run away in fear? Spoiler, he bares it allllllllll.

Vanishing Cynicism

I’ll admit I was a partial cynic in book one, wondering if the love between Andrew and Edmund was authentic, or simply a matter of convenience at being the only two men alone on a deserted island together. Not including the cannibals of course. I’m happy to say that this book really did put aside those critical views of mine. At the start of this novel you can see that their sexual connection is obviously very strong. There are many scenes which focus on their physical desire for each other, as well as with other people at times. And yet, as the novel progresses we see their emotional link come to the forefront. Whereas they start off by taking advantage of all the sexual delights and brothels that New Orleans has to offer, it doesn’t take long before they admit to each other that they only want to spend the rest of their lives in each other’s arms.

There were two moments in particular for me which highlighted that this sailor and vampire are actually in love. The first is when Andrew realizes how comfortable he is spending time with Edmund simply doing nothing. Do they enjoy exploring the city together and indulging in their sexual passions? Absofreakinlutely. But they’re also happy to just lounge around in their room for a few hours reading. They can be comfortable in silence with each other, and that in my opinion is a sign of true love. And then there is Andrew’s fear over Edmund’s safety. Sure, that might seem like a given, but we see this augmented even more for Andrew as they begin their search for a vampire Elder to turn Edmund into a vampire as well. Andrew is so afraid that something will happen to take Edmund away from him just when they’re on the brink of spending a lifetime together. It was such a humbling show of desperation and vulnerability in his love for Edmund, you can’t help but feel moved.

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Escape Trilogy, book 2. The ending of this book? Wow, just wow!! It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I can’t wait to dive into the continuation and conclusion that book 3 has in store.

Final Impression: This book was a delightful look at uncovering who Edmund and Andrew truly are when they’re off the island. At times their indulgence in all the sins that New Orleans had to offer were a bit too over the top sex heavy for me. Not something I usually say, I know. However, I did appreciate that underneath it all we could really sense the growing love and devotion these two share for each other. I also liked that we got to see more of a focus on some supplementary characters from Andrew’s vampire coven. They provide an interesting complement to our loving couple. I think I would have liked a few more moments focusing on Edmund’s research into locating an Elder, with some additional details of this unique vampire world we’re getting to know.

Smut Level: My goodness, somebody get me an ice cold hurricane punch to cool off from all this New Orleans heat! Andrew and Edmund spend a lot of time in bed together, and sometimes they even have a few guests present as well. I feel like New Orleans humidity + 4 men in one brothel room= a literal bucket of sweat.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $3.99 Kindle Price. NineStar Press. 111 Pages.

Escaping Exile by Sara Dobie Bauer

Edmund finds himself shipwrecked on an island with an exiled vampire and a group of cannibals for company. And you thought your day wasn’t going so well?

What’s it About? 

Andrew is a vampire from New Orleans, exiled to a tropical island in the 1800s as punishment for his human bloodlust. During a storm, a ship crashes off shore. After rescuing a sailor from the cannibals native to the land, Andrew becomes fascinated with his brilliant, beautiful new companion, Edmund.

Edmund is a British naturalist who has sailed the world seeking new species. Intrigued by creatures that might kill him, immortal Andrew is this scientist’s dream-but so is making his way back home. Edmund will fight to survive, even while wrapped in the arms of a monster.

As light touches and laughter turn to something much more passionate, the cannibals creep ever closer to Edmund. Can the ancient vampire keep his human alive long enough to escape exile and explore their newfound love, or will Andrew’s bloodlust seal his own doom?

First Impression

When Edmund first washes ashore on this lonely island in the middle of nowhere, Andrew thinks it’s his lucky day. He’s finally managed to capture a potential food source away from the hungry cannibals he’s been sharing this island with during his exile for the last few years. Once Andrew gets a good look at this stranger though he realizes that he desires him in another way beyond food. The brilliance of this read is that we all know it’s simply a matter of time before Andrew gives into his hunger for this man. His desire is so strong it’s an inevitability. What we don’t know though is which hunger he’ll succumb to first. His physical desire for Edmund, or his stomach’s need for sustenance? For a short read of only 83 pages, there’s definitely a building sense of anticipation as Andrew’s hunger grows, which begs to question if Edmund will come out unscathed on the other end. We want them to come together, but you sort of hold your breath in the process as you wonder if Andrew will be able to keep his darker hunger for Edmund in control.

Exiling a Monster

The bulk of this novella takes place on the island, but we do get a few flashbacks here and there where we get a glimpse of Andrew in New Orleans before his exile. While there was a good balance between island time vs. flashback, I do wish we had more fully explored Andrew’s relationship with Michelle, the leader of his coven. She’s the one who exiled him to this tiny island full of cannibals, yet I can’t say I fully understand the reasons behind his exile. I mean yeah, sure, he killed a lot of blokes back in New Orleans, but…they’re vampires. Isn’t that sort of their modus operandi?

We even get a very revealing flashback scene wherein we witness Andrew’s camaraderie with another member of his coven who seemed even more heartless and reckless than Andrew. At least Andrew seemed to want to bring his victims to unspeakable pleasure before drinking up every last drop of blood. Gotta look for a bright side, right? Obviously there must have been a building animosity from Michelle towards Andrew, but I would have liked maybe one additional flashback scene where we see why Michelle was so fed up with him that exile was the only option. It’s not only the impetus behind his very presence on this island, but I think it also could have revealed a very interesting and perhaps darker side to Andrew’s nature and character.

The Cynic in Me

From the minute that Andrew finds Edmund on this beach you want them to end up together. However, a very small and cynical part of me couldn’t help but wonder if this is actually love, or just a convenient answer to Andrew’s last four years of solitude. Don’t get me wrong, I positively love the idea of them together. The naturalist and the vampire? Perfect. Upon discovery of Andrew’s dark creature hiding within, Edmund can’t help but want to study him. He’s spent the better part of his life traveling the world looking for new species, and he’s certainly hit the mother-load on this tiny island. You can’t help but question though if their intense connection is due to Andrew’s admiration of Edmund’s spunky attitude, or if he’s just so thrilled to finally have the presence of an able-bodied male on this island who happens to have the same sexual tastes as himself. I want to believe their love is true. However, considering not only their brief time together, but also the rather short length of the book, I’m not 100% convinced that we were presented with enough scenes demonstrating the depth of their feelings for each other.

A Saving Grace?

It’s not long before both Andrew and Edmund indulge in their desire for each other. As their love for each other grows, so does their intense wish to escape from this hellish island. I have a feeling though that getting off the island may not eventually prove to be the saving grace they were both hoping for. Sure, they may have had cannibals for neighbors, but who out there doesn’t have at least one neighbor that they’re not a huge fan of? At least on the island they could both be themselves with each other, wrapped up all day long in their passion. We have to wonder if Andrew will be the same loving and in-control vampire he became on the island after he is let loose once again among the numerous temptations of New Orleans. Will his increased access to blood drive him to revert to his old ways, with a different kill and a different man in his arms every night? Or will his love for Edmund hold true once they leave the island behind them? I can’t wait to find out what’s in store next for our unlikely couple!

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: The Escape Trilogy, book 1. There’s a really intriguing concept which is introduced at the end that will leave you wanting more!

Final Impression: I definitely understand why this book was shorter in length, as we are essentially dealing with two men trapped on an island alone together. If it was much longer we could easily run the risk of entering boredom territory. That being said, I think I would have liked to have seen two additional scenes. One which dealt more with Michelle’s reasons for exiling Andrew in the first place, and one more which maybe highlights an even deeper connection between Edmund and Andrew. They definitely open up with each other, and confide some crucial details of their respective pasts, but I think just one more scene could have cemented my belief in their relationship.

Smut Level: Hot daaaaaamn. These two get to be all kinds of sweaty. Edmund asks Andrew to strip out of his clothes so he can conduct a full scientific examination of this unique species. Sure buddy, like that’s your only reason for asking him to shed his breeches 😉 What follows his plenty of kissing, licking, sucking, rutting, thrusting and of course biting that will be sure to make this day at the beach positively sweltering.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $2.99 Kindle Price. NineStar Press. 83 Pages.